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Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund (ARDRAF) is sponsored by Virginia Center on Aging (Virginia Commonwealth University). Established by the Virginia General Assembly, ARDRAF provides seed funds for research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. This includes research into methods of treatment, ways families can cope with the stresses of the disease, and the disease's impact on citizens.
The fund stimulates innovative research into biomedical and psychosocial aspects of dementia, including caregiving.
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Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund (ARDRAF) — VCU College of Health Professions You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. VCU College of Health Professions ‌Alzheimer's & Related Diseases Research Award Fund ‌In 1982, the Virginia General Assembly established a research award fund entitled the Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund (ARDRAF).
"The awards shall be given annually to scientists in Virginia in order to support research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, ‌methods of treatment, ways that families can cope with the stresses of the disease, and the impact of the disease on the citizens of the Commonwealth."
Since ARDRAF's creation, VCoA has provided seed funds for research in Alzheimer's and other dementias at institutions around the state. These funds are used to stimulate innovative research into biomedical and psychosocial aspects of dementia, including cell biology, caregiving, and animal modeling.
2025-2026 ARDRAF Recipients Announced 2025 Funding Procedures and Timeline: September 1, 2025 - Grant cycle opens December 1, 2025 - Deadline for prospective applicants to submit the required non-binding letter of intent (LOI). February 1, 2026 - Deadline to submit applications. Applicants will receive a link to submit the full application once their LOI has been approved.
July 1, 2026 - Awardees announced. July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 - Funding Period View the ARDRAF Library to read and explore through our latest publications. To stimulate research, foster the application of knowledge, examine the effects, and increase public understanding of Alzheimer's and related diseases.
The ARDRAF is intended to: increase public understanding of how dementing illnesses affect individuals, families, caregivers, and society support pilot projects from a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines foster the application of knowledge about Alzheimer's and related diseases investigate the impact of these conditions on the Commonwealth of Virginia determine appropriate public policy The ARDRAF encourages partnerships between community-based agencies/facilities and academic institutions, especially those that address community needs or promote mutually beneficial participatory research opportunities.
In addition, the ARDRAF supports interprofessional healthcare and inter-departmental collaborations. The ARDRAF also encourages investigations that have implications for addressing the goals of the Dementia State Plan: Virginia’s Response to the Needs of Individuals with Dementia and their Caregivers developed by the Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission ( alzpossible. org/va-dementia- state-plan/ ).
If applicable, proposals should state how the study addresses Goal V, which calls for expanded resources for dementia specific translation research and evidence-based practices. In addition, the ARDRAF encourages proposals that address the critical scientific priorities for research recommended in the ADRD Summit 2019 Report to the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council.
Representative Areas of Investigation Behavioral and cognitive changes, caregiving, clinical assessment, brain chemistry/neurology, cell biology, electrophysiology immunological responses, environmental factors, drug discovery changes. In 1982, The General Assembly established the Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Research Award fund to be administered by the Virginia Center on Aging ( current code § 51. 5-153 , original code § 2.
2-719). Since that time, VCoA has supervised the solicitation of applications and the awarding of competitive grants. VCoA absorbs all administrative costs, passing through each year's full appropriation to the selected researchers.
VCOA celebrated ARDRAF's 25th anniversary in 2007. To recognize this occasion and commend ARDRAF for its accomplishments, the General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution No. 857 . As part of the anniversary celebration, several previous ARDRAF recipients and supporters were invited to comment on their projects and subsequent developments as well as to honor Del.
Ken Plum for his championing of the cause of Alzheimer's research. For video of ARDRAF recipients and supporters speaking, click here . To learn about past awards, see the "Past Award Information" drop-down box below.
ARDRAF is administered by the Virginia Center on Aging at Virginia Commonwealth University. The Center is responsible for developing application procedures and review criteria, establishing fiscal controls and reporting requirements, and monitoring the conduct of investigations. Below is a brief description of the application process.
Applicants submit a non-binding letter of intent with a tentative title, non-technical abstract, and a 4-5-sentence description of the project in common, everyday language for press release purposes. Once received, applications are assigned to technical reviewers who represent domestic and international scientific and medical communities.
In addition, each proposal will be assigned to a peer reviewer recommended by the applicant ( see further instructions in the 2026 ARDRAF Application Guidelines ).
The criteria for review are as follows: 1) Scientific merit with respect to the: significance of proposed hypotheses adequacy of the methodology and design potential for subsequent funding 2) Appropriateness of proposal for funding by the ARDRAF investigation team (with respect to background and training) A prestigious review panel convenes in an all-day meeting to analyze the feedback from reviewers, determine the funding priority scores, and make the final funding decisions.
The number and size of the awards vary each year but are limited to $75,000. VCoA absorbs all administrative costs, passing each year's full appropriation to the award recipients. Applicants are evaluated by a third-party professional awards committee and awards are granted based on a competitive evaluation process.
To learn more about past awards, please review our Broadsheet 2024 Update . 29 recipient organizations $6. 4 Million competitively awarded $53.
8 Million in subsequent funding earned by awardees 330 related scientific and professional publications The quality of ARDRAF recipients' work is reflected by our inclusion in the National Institute of Health's I nternational Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Research Portfolio (IADRP) . The IADRP is an online portal and database sponsored by NIA and the Alzheimer’s Association.
It aims to avoid unintended duplication of funding efforts, identify gaps, and facilitate opportunities for collaborative research. Using a Common Alzheimer’s Disease Research Ontology (CADRO), we with the IADRP to categorize all of the ARDRAF grants awarded from 2008 to 2017. Users can systematically filter by CADRO category to find researchers in Virginia working in their area of expertise.
2024-2025 ARDRAF Recipients 2023-2024 ARDRAF Recipients 2022-2023 Grant Recipients 2022 ARDRAF Awards Committee Roster 2021-2022 Grant Recipients 2021 ARDRAF Awards Committee Roster 2020-2021 Grant Recipients 2020 ARDRAF Awards Committee Roster 2019-2020 Grant Recipients 2019-2020 Awards Committee 2018-2019 Grant Recipients 2018 ARDRAF Awards Committee Roster Clinical-Psychosocial Projects Funded Annual Final Report Summaries 2021-2022 ARDRAF Final Report 2020-2021 ARDRAF Final Report 2019-2020 ARDRAF Final Report 2018-2019 ARDRAF Final Report 2017-2018 ARDRAF Final Report 2016-2017 ARDRAF Final Report 2015-2016 ARDRAF Final Report 2014-2015 ARDRAF Final Report 2013-2014 ARDRAF Final Report 2012-2013 ARDRAF Final Report 2011-2012 ARDRAF Final Report 2010-2011 ARDRAF Final Report 2009-2010 ARDRAF Final Report 2008-2009 ARDRAF Final Report 2007-2008 ARDRAF Final Report 2006-2007 ARDRAF Final Report 2005-2006 ARDRAF Final Report 2004-2005 ARDRAF Final Report 2003-2004 ARDRAF Final Report 2002-2003 ARDRAF Final Report 2001-2002 ARDRAF Final Report 2000-2001 ARDRAF Final Report 1999-2000 ARDRAF Final Report 1998-1999 ARDRAF Final Report 1997-1998 ARDRAF Final Report International Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Research Portfolio Number of ARDRAF Awards given in various categories Brain Aging and Common Mechanisms related to Dementia: 1 Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring: 6 Care, Support and Health Economics of Alzheimer's Disease: 13 Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's Disease: 24 Translational Research and Clinical Interventions: 15 Total awards given in these categories: 59 The International Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Research Portfolio (IADRP) is an online portal and database sponsored by National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association.
It aims to avoid unintended duplication of funding efforts, identify gaps, and facilitate opportunities for collaborative research. Using a Common Alzheimer’s Disease Research Ontology (CADRO), we worked with the IADRP to categorize all of the ARDRAF grants awarded from 2008 to 2013. This table shows the breakdown of grants awarded among the seven major categories in the ontology.
Click here to view past ARDRAF awards that are in the IADRP database. This website is a great tool to find collaborators in your field.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Scientists in Virginia at institutions around the state are eligible to apply. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund (ARDRAF) is funded by Virginia Center on Aging (Virginia Commonwealth University). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Virginia. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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